T20 format is for youngsters: Younis Khan

ISLAMABAD: Former Captain Pakistan cricket team Younis Khan believes that Twenty20 cricket format is for youngsters and they should be given more chances as well.

Talking to private news channel, Younis, who led Pakistan to victory in the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009, said that is why he decided to quit the post after clinching the trophy.

“Ijaz Butt was ready to take hard decisions even with players. He supported me a lot as captain and he was the one who made me the captain and we went on to win the World T20 Cup in England in 2009”, he explained.

Younis who was appointed Pakistan captain in early 2009 opened up on his decision to quit captaincy less than a year into his tenure.

“When I was made captain in 2009 I had told the then Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt that if I didn’t deliver I would resign from the captaincy myself”, he said.

“I decided to resign as captain when we were in Abu Dhabi playing against New Zealand in late 2009 because I felt I couldn’t deliver as I couldn’t unite the team”, he added.

Younis said though that it was a wrong decision and if another opportunity came his way now, he would welcome it with open arms.

To a question about Indian Premier League (IPL) the right-handed batsman said that he was never really excited personally about the cash-rich tournament.

“Yes, it is true I was not happy when I had to play just one match for the Rajasthan team in the IPL, however, I was in full support of the IPL and expressed belief that it will continue to be a success in spite of the controversies surrounding the T20 league”, he added.

He once again reiterated that he should be treated with more respect.

“I have never disrespected anyone in my life. I have always thought about Pakistan first and then myself. No captain or coach can say Younis didn’t support them or backed out of a given challenge. But I believe that every player whether he has played 100 tests or one test deserves to be treated with respect,” he said.